2005-04-21 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

Home

Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 April 21, 2005 UNFINISHED BUSINESS VETERANS CEMETERY II — EXPANSION PROJECT UPDATE Director Patricia Engelhard reported that the County will not accept expansion portion until the sleeping grass problem and other punch list items are remedied. VETERANS CEMETERY III — WEST HAWAII (Urn Burials) Director Engelhard reported that she, Park Superintendent Steve Morifuji and Park Planner James Komata visited Cemetery III approximately 3 weeks ago and met with Boss Hanato, Minoru Hanato, Rick Highley and County employee Kimo. In summary, they are considering installing urn faults in one section of the cemetery. At all County cemeteries, P &R encourages people to place urns in an area where you cannot do body burials in order to provide more space for the future, however, if families want to be buried next to each other, they are entitled to a regular plot. VETERANS CEMETERIES I & II (COLUMBARIUMS — GRANITE COVERS) Director Engelhard said that the granite covers were partially vandalized. The remaining covers are being stored at Parks Maintenance. At each columbarium we need (8 Large and 2 Small) and we have (Vets I - 1 Large and 1 Small) (Vets II - 4 Large). VETERANS CEMETERY III — WEST HAWAII — Mr. Highley's Report Cemetery Lawn Mr. Highley distributed a monthly report. He stated that the cemetery lawn has been and will be fertilized every two months as recommended by the Golf Course Superintendent's Association. Requested that the Director write a letter to the families to allow them a certain amount of time to claim items that were removed prior to removing headstones. These items are marked and still in the small building. After that period, items will be disposed. Funds - $100,00 Mr. Highley shared his concern about the discontent from West Hawaii veterans because they were told that they have $100,000 to spend and then it never materializes, so he suggested that those statements not be made. Mr. Nishimoto responded that there needs to be a starting figure for budget purposes, however, if its allocated for a particular project, if there is a balance, the remainder does not go to other items at the cemetery. Mr. Highley explained that the priority list changed many times. When DOD initially met with the West Hawaii veterans and said there is $100,000 available for the cemetery, what do you want, everyone agreed that a pavilion was a priority, but Engineer Mitsuyoshi said that you need graveliners more, so that was okay with everybody. They were told that this project was going to start in November. November has long passed and nothing has been done. He suggests being careful about what is said about when and what will be done. If we're not sure its going to be done, lets not say it. The wording